Photographic film processing device



Oct. 25, 1960 P. c. HUTTON PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PROCESSING DEVICE! 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 22, 1956 III/Ill INVENTOR. PcuLl C [idiom\l/ulllllll llllllllll Oct. 25, 1960 P. c. HUTTON 2,957,401

PHOTOGRAPHI/QTILM PROCESSING DEVICE Filed Aug. 22, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2J1 vea Z INVENTOR. a; F Pauli C. 77/

Oct. 25, 1960 P. c. HUTTON PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PROCESSING DEVICE 3Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 22, 1956 INVENTOR. Paul C HZLZZD W WW BY g jPHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PROCESSING DEVICE Paul C. Hutton, 7858 S. Harlem, OakLawn, Ill.

Filed Aug. 22, 1956, Ser. No. 605,521

12 Claims. (Cl. 95-90.5)

This invention relates to a processing device and in particular to adevice for processing photographic materials.

The necessity for accurately controlling various factors, such astemperature, in the processing of photographic materials such as film iswell known. With the advent of color photographic material the need foraccurate maintenance of temperature, timing of each of the processingsteps, and efiicient and proper disposition of the processing chemicalsrelative to the photographic material is even more critical.

The principal feature of this invention is the provision of a new andimproved photographic material processing device.

Another feature is that the device is arranged for automatic operationeffecting accurate control of the several factors involved in theprocessing of photographic material.

A further feature is that the device is arranged so that the wash waterwhich is maintained accurately at the proper temperature, is utilizedfor maintaining the temperature of the processing chemicals.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a new andimproved liquid distributing manifold for delivering processing liquidsuniformly to the film processing chamber.

A further feature is the provision of a water jacket structuresurrounding the processing ohmber with means for utilizing portions ofthe wash water to maintain the temperature of the water jacket uniformat all times.

Yet another feature is the provision of a new and improved processingwell structure wherein different forms of photographic material such asroll film and plates may be properly disposed for effective processingincluding reversal, said well structure being adapted for accommodationof a plurality of rolls of film material as well as a single roll.

A yet further feature is the provision of a photographic materialprocessing device having new and improved agitating means, includingmeans for repeatedly withdrawing and returning a portion of theprocessing fluids to the processing well.

A further feature is the provision of a photographic material processingdevice wherein the processing chemicals are stored in collapsiblecontainers disposed within a pressure chamber, with means for varyingthe pressure in the chamber concurrently with the control of suitablevalves leading from each of the containers for delivering desiredchemicals to the processing Well.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision "nited ratesPater of automatic means for actuating valves leading from the chemicalsupply containers to the processing well and desired auxiliary devicessuch as the reversal illumination source, agitating solenoid means, andvisual or aural indicators.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a photographic material processing unitembodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation thereof with portions broken away;

Figure 3 is a section taken approximately along the line 3-3 of Figure2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken approximately alongthe line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a modified form ofprocessing structure;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of another form of deviceembodying the invention;

Figure 7 is a section taken approximately along the line 77 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section taken approximately along the line S-S of Figure6;

Figure 9 is a top plan view of another form of device embodying theinvention;

Figure 10 is an elevation of the form of Figure 9, with portions thereofbroken away;

Figure 11 is a section taken approximately along the line 11-11 ofFigure 9; and

Figure 12 is a section taken approximately along the line 12-12 ofFigure 11.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in Figures 1to 4 of the drawings, a device, generally designated 10, for processingphotographic materials is seen to comprise an upper, supply portion 11and a lower, processing portion 12. The desired liquid processingchemicals, in solution form, and the wash water are held in supplyportion 11 until delivered to the processing portion wherein thephotographic material is processed. in this embodiment of the inventionthe processing liquids are delivered to the processing portion by theforce of gravity and are discharged from the processing portionsimilarly by the force of gravity to be discarded or delivered tosuitable containers for subsequent re-use as desired. To control thesteps of the processing, automatic timing means may be employed foractuating suitable valves at the proper time and for the properduration.

More specifically, supply portion 11 comprises a tank 13 having an opentop and a transversely extending bottom 14. While it should beunderstood that tank 13 may have any suitable cross sectionalconfiguration, for illustrative purposes I have shown the tank ascircular. Disposed circumferentially in tank 13 adjacent the side wallsthereof is a plurality of upwardly opening chemical storage containers15, each container having an opening 15a through the bottom thereof inregistry with a corresponding opening 14a in the tank bottom. A valve 16is associated with each of the containers 15 for controlling openings15a, valve 16 being of a mechanical or solenoid operated type asdesired. In the embodiment illustrated, as best seen in Figure 4, asubmersible, solenoid operated valve 16 is employed, being disposedwithin the container s3 and having a closure member 16a removably seatedacross container opening 15a. In the processing of present day colorfilm, the maximum number of separate chemical supplies required is nineand, thus, nine such containers 15 are disposed within tank 13, it beingunderstood that the number could vary as desired or necessary.

Also provided in tank bottom 14 on the common circle on which containers15 are arranged is a wash water outlet opening 14b controlled by a valve17 which may be similar to valves 16. Centrally of the tank is providedanother opening 140, upstanding around which opening is a cylindricaltube 14d through which a suitable reversal illumination source such asan electric light bulb 18 is extended to project into processing portion12. If desired a heating means 19 may be disposed within tank 13 formaintaining the wash water therein at a desired temperature.

Lower, processing portion 12 comprises a cylindrical housing 20 having aradially inturned flange 20a at its upper end forming an annular supportfor upper portion 11 which may be secured thereto by suitable means suchas screws 20b. Within housing 20 is an annular processing tank,indicated generally at 21, defined by a bottom 21a, an inner transparentupright wall 21b and an outer upright wall 210. An upright annularpartition wall 21d divides the annular tank into an inner filmprocessing well 22 and an outer water jacket 23. Where, as seen inFigure 4, a single roll of film F is to be processed in the well 22, aV-shaped groove 21e may be provided in the upper portion of bottom 21afor centering the film between walls 211) and 21d. An annular clip 21]may be used to position the upper end of the film centrally of the wellas desired. Bottom 21a of the processing tank is provided with a firstoutlet opening 22a leading from processing well 22 and a second outletopening 23a leading from water jacket portion 23. A valve 22b controlsoutlet 22a to discharge the processing liquids from the well 22 whendesired. To maintain the level of the water in jacket 23, a stand pipedevice 23b extends upwardly from outlet 23a to a point below the upperedge 21g of the center Wall of processing tank 21. A similar stand pipeMe extends through tank bottom 14 to terminate at its upper end slightlybelow the top of tank 13 and at its lower end over water jacket 23.Thus, should the level of wash water in tank 13 be above the upper endof stand pipe 14a the water will be passed therefrom into water jacketspace 23, and thence through outlet discharge pipe 23!).

To assure uniform distribution of the processing chemicals and the washwater over the entire film in processing Well 22, an annular manifold 24is provided, arranged under tank bottom 14 on the common circle ofcontainers 15. A downwardly opening V-shaped groove 24:: extendsannularly around the manifold, opening upwardly to have communicationwith each of openings 14a and 14b. The bottom of the manifold is formedto provide a relatively small cross-sectional area passage 24b extendingcircumferentially around the entire manifold for passing liquid fromgroove 24a into processing well 22 disposed directly therebelow. Bymaking passage 24b relatively small, the entire body of liquiddischarged from a container 15 or through opening 14b does not passimmediately into the processing well at a point directly below thecontainer or outlet, but rather tends to flow circumferentially and fillgroove 24a before passing through passage 24b and falling into theprocessing space. Thus, the liquid chemical or wash water is evenlydispersed over the entire film in the processing well providing improvedtreatment of the film. I have found a very eificient means of formingpassage 24b is to provide a split manifold, with the inner portionthereof, spaced radially inwardly of the outer portion to form acontinuous slot therebeween.

Means for agitating the liquid in the processing well are provided,illustratively comprising a horizontally reciprocable solenoid 25connected to processing tank 21 by suitable arms 25a. Tank 21 is carriedon horizontally yieldable means herein disclosed as a plurality ofspring 26 allowing oscillatory rotation of the processing tank under thereciprocal urging of the solenoid 25.

The means for co-ordinating and timing the operation of the varioussolenoid valves, light source, and agitator solenoid comprises a timer27 which may be exteriorly mounted on housing 20. Where the processingdevice is to be used with different types of photographic materialrequiring diiferent processing steps, timer 27 may be of an adjustabletype allowing setting thereof to provide the desired functioning of theelectrical components of the processing device. Where only a single typeof photographic material is to be processed the timer may have fixedelements providing a fixed cycle of operation of the device. Visual oraural means for indicating the completion of steps or the entire processmay be provided such as signal bell 28 also operable by means of timer27.

Because of the unique construction of processing device 10 an extremelycompact and eificient overall structure is obtained. For example, insuch a device for processing a single roll of 20 exposure 35 mm. film,the outside diameter of inner wall 21b may be 11" and the insidediameter of center wall 21a may be 11% thereby requiring a total volumeof liquid chemical in the processing Well of only 4.65 cubic inches.

To illustrate the operation of device 10, the procedure in processing aroll of color film therewith will now be described. Film F is placed inprocessing well 22 and upper portion 11 is placed on top of processingportion 12 so that manifold 24 is disposed directly above processingwell 22. With all valves of upper portion 11 closed, suitable chemicalsare placed in each of containers 15 and wash water of the propertemperature is placed in tank 13 so as to surround the containers andcompletely fill the tank, a sufficient excess quantity being provided toflow through stand pipe 142 into water jacket space 23 to maintain theprocessing tank also at the desired temperature. Where the roomtemperature is substantially below the desired processing temperatureheating means 19 may be utilized to maintain the wash water temperatureat the proper point. Containers 15 are preferably formed of a materialsuch as metal having a high heat conductivity, and thus the chemicalsolutions therein are maintained at the desired temperature by thesurrounding Wash water.

Timer 27 is now actuated to commence the automatic processing of thefilm. A valve 16 controlling a container 15 housing the first developeris opened by the timer allowing he first developer to pass from thecontainer through the manifold and into the processing well to cover thefilm therein. Timer 27 may then actuate solenoid 25 at repeatedintervals to effect an agitation of processing tank 21 during thedevelopment of the film. At the end of a predetermined time intervalsuch as 10 minutes, the timer :aotuates outlet valve 22b to eifectdisposal of the developer, completing the first step of the developmentof the film. Valve 22b is then closed and a second valve 16 opened totransfer a shortstop from its container 15 through manifold 24 into theprocessing well to stop the action of the developer. After a suitableperiod of time such as one minute valve 22b is opened and the shortstopdischarged from the processing well. Subsequently a hardener may bedelivered to the processing well from a third container 15; and uponcompletion of its use and discharge, valve 17 is opened to deliver apredetermined quantity of wash water from the main body of tank 13 intothe processing well. To obtain proper washing action a quantity of watersubstantially greater than may be contained in the processing well isdelivered thereto, the excess water flowing over center wall edge 21ginto water jackets space 23, thereby causing the water in water jacketto be at least partially replenished and maintaining accurately thetemperature asset-act of the jacket. Subsequent to the wash operationwhich and a final ten minute wash may be automatically effected throughoperation of timer 27. Where it is desired to reuse any or all of thechemicals they may be collected, when passed from outlet 22a, insuitable containers (not shown) disposed below valve 22b.

A modified form of processing tank 31 is shown in Figure for concurrentprocessing of a plurality of film rolls. As it is necessary that allportions of the film be exposed to lamp bulb 18 during the reversalexposure, the films must be disposed with no opaque objects between themand the bulb. To this end, a vertical ar rangement of the films isprovided by means of a vertic'ally extended carrier ring 32 receivablewithin the proc essing well 33 of tank 31. Suitable annular guides 32aare provided on ring 32 to hold the film in place thereon and the ringis preferably foraminous .to permit movement of solutions and wash waterover all surfaces of the film F. Tank 31 is generally similar toprocessing tank 21 of the first described embodiment except that it iselongated substantially vertically and the bottom portion 310: thereofdefining the bottom of processing well 33 is provided with a horizontalupper surface 31b upon which ring 52 is carried, in lieu of the V-shapedgroove 212 of the first form.

Reference now being had more particularly to Figures 6 to 8, anotherform of film processing device 40 embodying the invention is shown tocomprise an upper, processing portion 41 and a lower, supply portion 42.A cylindrical housing 43 forms the outer wall of both portions and adouble walled bottom structure 44 extends transversely across :theinterior of housing 43 to define the boundary between the upper andlower portions 41 and 42. An annular processing tank 45 is formed inupper portion 41 including an inner, cylindrical, transparent wall 45aand a central wall 45b generally similar to walls 21b and 21drespectively of device 10. Central wall 45b divides the processing tankinto an inner processing well 46 and an outer water jacket space 47,with a stand pipe 47a extending upwardly through water jacket 47 toterminate slightly below the upper edge of central wall 45b and passoverflow wash water from the water jacket to a suitable disposal means(not shown).

In this form of processing device double bottom 44 functions as amanifold similar to manifold 24 of device 10, in distributing theincoming solutions and wash water evenly to all portions of theprocessing well. To this end, the space 44a between the walls isrelatively narrow and the bottom of processing well 46 is open.Centrally of lower portion 42, the lower bottom wall 44b is formeddownwardly to define a chamber 44c into which the chemicals and washwater are originally passed from the supply means and into which thechemicals and supply water may return in being passed back to the supplymeans. As best seen in Figures 6 and 7, the chemical supply meanscomprise a plurality of collapsible members, herein disclosed as elasticbladders 48, formed of a material such as rubber and adapted to holdsuitable quantities of each of the desired solutions. The bladders areconnected through suitable valves 49 to bottom wall 44b to havecommunication with chamber 440 when desired and extend into a pressurechamber 50 defined by bottom 44, housing wall 43, and a lowertransversally extending, displaceable diaphragm 51. Chamber 50 is thussealingly closed and the pressure therein is readily controlled byproper displacement of diaphragm 51.

To maintain accurately the temperature within chamber 50 art a desiredpredetermined point and to provide a relatively incompressibleconnection between diaphragm 51 and bladders 48, the chamber is filledwith a liquid such as water at the desired temperature, by means of aninlet means 43a in the housing wall. To maintain the temperature of thisfill water in the chamber, a heating element 52 may be extendedthereinto. The means for displacing diaphragm 51 may be of any suitabletype, a solenoid-operated, spring-return device 53 being illustrativelyshown for this purpose.

In device it is not intended that the fill water within chamber beutilized as the wash water and a separate supply conduit 54 is providedto have communication with chamber 44c through a wash water valve 54a.Means for discharging liquids from chamber 44c when desired, comprise anoutlet conduit 55 controlled by a suitable valve 55a to communicate withstand pipe 47a.

A cover 56 may be provided to close the upper end of the processingportion 41 to make device 40 lightproof. For reversing the film in theprocessing well, an illumination source, such as light bulb 57 may bemounted to extend downwardly from the cover into the center of the upperprocessing portion 41.

In utilizing processing device 4%, which generally comprises a pump typedevice, in contradistinction to the gravity operated device 10, thebladders 48 are filled with suitable chemicals with diaphragm 51arranged in its lower position (as shown in full lines in Figure 6).Water of the proper temperature is then caused to fill chamber 50through inlet 43a and upper portion 41 is positioned on lower portion42, as seen in Figure 6. The material to be processed is placed inprocessing well 46 and cover 56 placed over upper portion 41 to renderthe device lightproof and ready for processing the material. Through asuitable timing means (not shown) a valve 49 is opened to allow a firstdeveloper contained within the associated bladder 48 to be forcedupwardly through chamber 440 and space 440 into the processing well 46by the concurrent upward displacement of diaphragm 51. A sufficientquantity of solution is urged from the bladder to cause the processingwell to be filled to a point above the upper edge of the film therein(not shown). To effect agitation, repeated downward and upward movementof diaphragm 51 may be efiected, thereby repeatedly withdrawing andreturning solution from and to the processing well. If desired,operation of the diaphragm may be such as to effect withdrawal andreturn of only a portion of the total volume of liquid in the processingwell. Upon completion of the development with the first developer, thediaphragm is allowed to move to the lower position thereby drawing theentire first developer solution back into its bladder 48 and theassociated valve 49 is then automatically closed. The solutionscontained in the other bladders are automatically delivered to theprocessing well in a similar manner when desired. In the wash steps ofthe processing, the water supply valve 54a may be first opened onlysufiiciently long to fill the processing well but not to cause anoverflow into the water jacket 4'7. The valve 54:: is then closed andoutlet valve 55a is then opened allowing this highly contaminated waterto pass out through outlet conduit 55. Outlet valve 55:: is then closedand the wash water valve 54a is again opened for the remainder of thewash period with the wash Water passing through the processing well andspilling over into the water jacket from whence it flows outwardlythrough stand pipe 47a.

It should be noted that if it is desired to discard the chemicalsolution, the device may be operated so that subsequent to theprocessing of the film therewith, the associated bladder valve is closedand outlet valve 55a is opened. Similarly to effect a washing of theinterior of the bladders such as when they have been so emptied of thechemical solutions, wash Water may first be run into the processingwell. Outlet valve 55a is closed and the wash water is passed into thebladder by the opening of its associated valve and the moving ofdiaphragm 51 downwardly.

Still another form of processing device, generally designated 60, isshown in Figures 9 to 12 wherein an upper supply portion 61 is providedwhich is generally similar to upper supply portion 11 of device 10. Asshown in Figure 10, portion 61 is of substantially greater height thansupply portion 11 as seen in Figure 2, it being understood, however,that the height of either portions 11 or 61 may be varied to suit thequantity requirements of the specific device. In all other respects thestructure of supply portion 61 is similar to that of supply portion 11and the functioning thereof is identical.

A modified form of lower processing portion 62 is provided in device 66,having a processing tank 63 generally similar to processing tank 21except that the bottom 63a is provided with a plurality of openings 63bthrough which liquid in a processing well 64- thereof may passdownwardly. Extending transversely across the center of the processingtank is a double-walled structure 65 comprising an upper, rigid wall 65aand a lower flexible wall 65!), said walls defining between them achamber 650 having communication with processing well 64 throughopenings 63b. Means for displacing lower wall 65b are rovided,illustratively comprising a solenoidoperated lever structure 66 mountedbelow double wall 65. For discharging liquids from the device whendesired, an outlet conduit 67 is arranged in communication with chamber65c through a suitable valve 67a.

Particular reference now being had to Figure 11, it may be seen thatwhen processing liquids are delivered into processing well 64, at leasta portion thereof may pass downwardly through opening 63b into chamber65c. It is preferred that the space between walls 65a and 65b, when wall65b is in the lower position, be at least equal in volume to theprocessing well space so that the entire volume of liquid may bedisposed in space 650 when desired, such as when discharging the liquidsubsequent to a processing operation thereby to preclude a slow drainage from the processing well. To effect agitation of the liquid inprocessing well 64, lever structure 66 is operated to reciprocate lowerwall 65b, it being obvious that when the lower wall is moved away fromupper wall 65a solution will be drawn from well 64 and when wall 65b ismoved toward upper wall 65a solution will be returned to well 64 therebycausing an agitating flow through well 64. It is preferred that whenwall 65b is disposed in the uppermost position, the volume of space 650is substantially zero, thus effectively minimizing the total volume ofsolution required. Upon completion of the use of the specific solution,wall 65b is lowered thereby draining quickly the solution from well 64into chamber 650, the opening of valve 670 at this time allowingdischarging of the solution through outlet conduit 67. If saving of thesolution is desired, it may be collected from the outlet conduit. Atimer 68 may be provided to efiect the automatic operation of thedevice, which operation except for the above described operation of theagitating means may be generally similar to the operation of processingdevice it).

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes,therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A device, of the character described, for processing photographicmaterial with wash water and chemical solutions, comprising: an annularprocessing tank having an open top; a supply means disposed over saidtank top and including a relatively large Wash water tank and aplurality of chemical solution holding containers arranged in said washwater tank on a circle superposed over said processing tank; andcontrolled means for selectively 8 1 delivering wash water and solutionsfrom said wash water tank and said containers to said processing tankincluding an annular manifold interposed between said supply means andsaid processing tank for distributing the wash water and solutionsuniformly over the processing tank when delivered thereto.

2. A device, of the character described, for processing photographicmaterial, comprising: a processing tank having an opening in the bottom;means defining a sealed; chamber having a volume of fluid therein;constrictible means in said chamber for holding liquid for use inprocessing photographic material; controlled means for conducting liquidbetween said constrictible means and said tank through said opening; andmeans for varying the pressure of the fiuid within said chamberalternately to effect constriction of said constrictible means therebyforcing liquid therefrom through the conducting means and into saidtank, and to etfect expansion of said constrictible means to draw liquidfrom said tank through the conducting means and back into saidconstrictible means.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the constrictible means comprises atleast one elastic bladder.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the chamber is filled with asubstantially incompressible liquid.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein means are provided to maintain theliquid in said chamber at a predetermined temperature, and the liquidsurrounds the constrictible means to maintain the temperature of liquidtherein at the predetermined temperature.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the means for varying the pressure withsaid chamber comprises a flexible bounding portion of the chamberdefining means and a reciprocable lever structure operably associatedwith the bounding portion.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the lever structure is provided with aspring-return means urging the bounding portion outwardly to effectminimum pressure in the chamber.

8. In a device, of the character described, for processing photographicmaterial, a horizontally extended processing tank having a bottomprovided with a plurality of openings uniformly distributed oversubstantially the entire extent of said bottom, means sealinglyconnected to said tank and defining a plurality of chambers each havingcommunication with the interior of the tank through all of saidopenings, a portion of each chamber being displaceable to vary thevolume thereof alternately to deliver to and withdraw from said tankprocessing liquids provided in said chambers, said chamber definingmeans being disposed below said tank bottom, and a controlled dischargeoutlet being provided therein at the lowest point thereof fordischarging processing liquids from the tank and chambers when desired.

9. A device, of the character described, for processing photographicmaterial, comprising: a processing tank having an opening in the bottom;means defining a sealed chamber having a volume of fluid therein;variable volume means confronting said chamber for holding liquid foruse in processing photographic material; controlled means for conductingliquid between the interior of said variable volume means and said tankthrough said opening; and means for varying the pressure of the fluidwithin said chamber alternately for effecting a decrease in the volumeof the interior of said variable volume means thereby forcing liquidtherefrom through the conducting means and into said tank and forrestoring said variable volume means to its original volume to effectliquid flow from said tank through the conducting means and back intosaid variable volume means.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the variable volume means comprises aplurality of yieldable containers.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the containers are disposed generallyin successive radial segments of a vertical cylinder.

12., The device of claim 9 wherein a controlled opening is provided inthe means defining the sealed chamber adjacent the top thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSCaballero Nov. 18, 1913 Baker Jan. 22, 1918 Caute Mar. 18, 1930 PeckhamAug. 6, 1946 Great Britain Ian. 7, 1953

